BOISE STATE vs. NEW MEXICO STATE GAME PREVIEWOn paper, Boise State's regular season finale against New Mexico State appears to be simply a formality en route to a second straight undefeated regular season and a school record tying 13th victory. But, we all know games aren't won on paper, and Br

On paper, Boise State’s regular season finale against New Mexico State appears to be simply a formality en route to a second straight undefeated regular season and a school record tying 13th victory. But, we all know games aren’t won on paper, and Bronco head coach Chris Petersen will be quick to remind his team that the Aggies will be treating Saturday’s game as their BCS bowl against the sixth-ranked Broncos. Ironically, a BCS bowl is exactly what Boise State has their sights set on after defeating Nevada last week, 44-33, and then watching Oklahoma State, Pitt and Georgia Tech all lose last weekend as potential at large roadblocks for the Broncos in that BCS path. First things first though, Boise State must win against New Mexico State to clinch the outright WAC title and put themselves in position for a second BCS bowl invite in the past four years. That alone should provide plenty of motivation for the heavily favored Broncos.

PLAYER TRADING CARDS: The 2009 Bronco football trading card sets will be available pre-game at the Stadium Bronco Shop. The store opens at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. No purchase is necessary to pick up the trading cards, complimentary and courtesy of Team Bronco Partner Carl’s Jr. Thirteen cards make up this year’s set, including senior co-captains Kyle Wilson and Richie Brockel, and all-conference standouts Austin Pettis, Kellen Moore, Ryan Winterswyk and Jeron Johnson.

CIRCLE WALK OF CHAMPIONS: The Circle Walk of Champions with the football team will kick-off game day activities on Saturday. The walk is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band leading the football team from the Student Union Building to the Varsity Center via Bronco Circle and into the East Side Stadium parking lot. Fans are encouraged to participate in The Circle Walk of Champions by lining up along Bronco Circle, on the Allen Noble Hall of Fame Plaza and in front of the Varsity Center as the team walks through. Bronco Circle will be closed to traffic from 9:45 a.m. to roughly 10:15 a.m.

HOME SWEET HOME: Boise State owns the second longest home win streak in the nation at 25 straight and have yet to trail this season at Bronco Stadium. The Broncos have won by an average margin of victory of nearly four touchdowns at home in 2009. On the other end of the spectrum, New Mexico State is 1-5 this season on the road, including scoring just 23 points in its past four road games.

SENIOR DAY: Five Bronco players will be recognized prior to Saturday’s kick-off, marking the smallest senior class in school history. Of those five, only three will be suiting up for the game. Cornerback Kyle Wilson, cornerback Garcia Day and wide receiver Michael Choate will dress for the game, while fullbacks Richie Brockel and Andy Silsby will be in street clothes on the sidelines. Silsby was lost for the season due to a knee injury during the summer, while Brockel injured his foot against Idaho and will miss the remainder of the season.

OTHER ENDS OF THE OFFENSIVE SPECTRUM: On one end you have Boise State, averaging 44.3 points per game to rank first in the WAC in scoring and second nationally. The Broncos have produced 63 offensive touchdowns. On the other end you have New Mexico State, averaging 11.8 points per game to rank last in the WAC and last in the nation. The Aggies have produced 15 offensive touchdowns in 2009. Put in a bit more perspective, Boise State junior wide receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis individually have come close to matching the total offensive scoring output of New Mexico State, as both Pettis and Young have 14 touchdowns on the season.

40 MOORE: With five touchdown passes last week against Nevada, Bronco sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore set a single season school record with 38 throwing scores. On Saturday, he has a chance to become the first Bronco to ever throw 40 touchdown passes. Remarkably, Moore has thrown just three interceptions on the season, as he leads the nation in pass efficiency, touchdown passes and fewest interceptions thrown. Moore has thrown a touchdown pass to nine different receivers this season, as Boise State’s passing attack ranks among the top three nationally in efficiency and touchdown passes.

PLAYING INTO THE TEETH OF THE “D”: New Mexico State’s offensive struggles have been a result of a non-existent pass attack. The Aggies have completed just 50 percent of their passes on the season, for less than 1,100 yards and just six touchdowns. The Bronco defense, meanwhile, has been a thorn in the side of passing offenses, leading the WAC in pass efficiency defense and allowing the fewest passing yards per game in the league. The Boise State defensive unit is also one of just five teams in the nation to pick off 20 passes, with a WAC best 20 picks on the season.